Javokhir Sindarov, a rising chess star from Uzbekistan, has solidified his position in the Candidates tournament held in Cyprus by defeating India's R Praggnanandhaa twice, leaving him four points behind in the standings. Sindarov, who has a history with Praggnanandhaa dating back to their childhood, expressed excitement about their matches, noting their competitive spirit. With eight points, Sindarov leads the tournament, two points ahead of Anish Giri, and has set a record for the most victories in the current Candidates format. Praggnanandhaa, despite entering the tournament with a strong classical chess record against Sindarov, faced setbacks that have hindered his chances of winning. Notably, five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand commented on Praggnanandhaa's potential, suggesting that his recent performance does not reflect his capabilities. As both players are only 20 years old, their rivalry is expected to evolve further in the chess world.